practically certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically certain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a high degree of confidence or likelihood about something, though it may not be absolute certainty. Example: "After reviewing all the evidence, I am practically certain that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

They're practically certain to make your job look good.

The New York Times

Yet the legal battle over the no-fly list is practically certain to continue.

The Guardian

You were practically certain to find only bland foreigner fare, thanks to a well-meaning concern for your taste buds.

The New York Times - Travel

It appears practically certain now that the disappearance of Miss Earhart and Mr. Noonan will become one of aviation's unsolved mysteries.

The New York Times

Insofar as an event which has probability very close to 1 is practically certain to happen, this result justifies the relative frequency interpretation of probability.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is now practically certain that The Sun on Sunday will be launched, and highly probable that this will happen in January.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Instead they proposed a "single, major and... practically certain-of-success project".

The New York Times - Books

First there are the A-list events that practically own certain weekends and that can't be encroached upon.

The New York Times - Travel

Thus although it might at first seem plausible that the ability to make random choices during the course of a computation allows us to practically solve certain problems which resist efficient deterministic algorithms, it is again an open problem whether this is true.

SEP

Practically free with certain service plans.

Forbes

Of course, in the early-stages of building a company, when practically nothing is certain, long-term, expensive leases make little to no sense.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and the level of formality required. While "practically certain" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from phrases like "highly probable".

Common error

Avoid using "practically certain" when absolute certainty is required or implied. Overstating certainty can undermine credibility if the predicted outcome does not occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically certain" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the degree of likelihood or confidence associated with a particular event or statement. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "practically certain" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote a high degree of confidence or likelihood, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is commonly found in news, media and scientific contexts. While it conveys strong assurance, it acknowledges a small margin of uncertainty. For alternative phrasing, consider phrases such as "almost assured" or "highly probable" depending on the context. It's crucial to avoid overstating certainty when using this phrase to maintain credibility. Remember that, while the AI confirms that the phrase is correct, always consider the specific context and desired tone when employing "practically certain" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Almost assured

Suggests a very high probability with a slightly stronger emphasis on the positive outcome.

Virtually guaranteed

Emphasizes the near impossibility of failure or an alternative outcome.

All but certain

An idiomatic way of expressing a very high probability.

Highly probable

A more formal way of expressing a strong likelihood.

Nearly definite

Indicates a close proximity to being completely certain.

Reasonably sure

Expresses confidence based on available evidence or understanding.

In all likelihood

Indicates that the outcome is the most probable based on current knowledge.

Almost inevitable

Suggests the outcome is very likely to happen, possibly due to circumstances.

Safe bet

An informal way to suggest a predictable and likely outcome.

Close to a sure thing

Similar to a "safe bet" but with slightly more emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "practically certain" in a sentence?

You can use "practically certain" to express a high degree of confidence about something. For example: "It is "practically certain" that the new policy will improve efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "practically certain"?

Alternatives include "almost certain", "highly probable", or "virtually guaranteed" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "practically certain" or "almost certain"?

Both phrases are similar, but "practically certain" might suggest a more reasoned or evidence-based confidence, while "almost certain" is slightly more general.

What does "practically certain" mean?

"Practically certain" means that something is very likely to happen or be true, to the point where the possibility of it not happening or being false is very small, though not impossible.